St. Vincent de Paul Feast in Kyiv, 2023

For over 400 years, the Catholic Church has celebrated the solemnity of Saint Vincent de Paul on September 27th – the patron saint of the poor, destitute, and oppressed. On this day, the Vincentian Family around the world honors the memory of the saint, who inspired and continues to inspire acts of Charity among his followers. With a passionate heart, St. Vincent devoted his entire life to Charity, igniting his followers with his compassion and simplicity of service, converting the godless, and performing countless deeds that still live on today.

During the holy Mass, everyone united in prayer, thanking God for the fruits of St. Vincent’s work, the work of all branches of the Vincentian Family, for all the poor and needy of this world, and for those who serve them with humility. The holy Mass was led by Fr. Leonid Kuklyshyn, CM, Visitor of the Vice-Province of SS. Cyril and Methodius.

This day became special for seminarian Vitaliy Beliak, who received the ministry of Lectorate and became a lector of God’s Word. Let us pray for him and wish him as it is written in the rite: “As you proclaim God’s word to others, obedient to the Holy Spirit, receive it yourself and meditate on it carefully so that you may find joy and strength in it. Proclaim our Savior, Jesus Christ, in your daily life.”

After the holy Mass, the present faithful were invited by the superior of the “God’s gift” house to a sweet treat and to participate in an all-Ukrainian Vincentian charity event.

In September, the Vincentian Family and its supporters throughout Ukraine launched a charity campaign called “Vincentian Gingerbread,” which will run until the end of 2023. During the campaign, we are raising funds for building materials to rebuild the destroyed homes of people who suffered from Russian occupation in the Kyiv region. There are many damaged houses, and we cannot restore them all, but at least part of them is achievable! Our modest help motivates these people to act, to live, and to believe that good will triumph! We encourage everyone to support the campaign and donate. More information can be found here https://svincent.org/en/vincentian-cookie/